During the 2nd WW the ship was adopted by Beckenham, Kent. As the sister of Lt Cmdr P Vian (Later Admiral) – Marian Vian had a school in Beckenham named after her. Reg Morrison passed the 11 plus whilst attending in 1942. A plaque marking the adoption was put up in the town hall. This building was demolished in 1991 to make way for a supermarket. The area is now under the London Borough of Bromley.

HMS Cossack F03

Ships Company

Start typing to discover family names.

Pay Book Number: P/JX 212237
Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. P/JX 212237. Starboard side Lookout (Badly wounded in the arm 23.10.41 and discharged to HMS Cormorant [Hospital Ponta Delgada]) According to Harry Redman Hayward had his arm amputated at Hasler Hospital.

Pay Book Number: P/MX 59286
Rank: ERA4

Remarks: ERA4. P/MX 59286. October 1939 to 9 June 1941. VICTORY 27.2.39 As Acting ERA4. COSSACK 25.7.39. Made ERA4 29.12.40. VICTORY 9.6.41. TONBRIDGE 10.7.41 Killed onboard HMS Tonbridge 22 August 1941.

Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. January 1939 to March 1940? Born 27 December 1923.

Heather Jack
Pay Book Number: P/SSX 35678
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Relation: Son of Walter and Priscilla Heather of Maybury, Surrey.

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. P/SSX 35678. Joined the RN 11 March 1941 for 12 years. COLLINGWOOD 11.3.41 to 19.5.41. VICTORY 20.5.41 to 28 .8. 1941. On Cossack books from 29 August 1941. (DRAKE and CORMORANT)
Missing presumed killed 23.10.41 on ‘A’ gun. Age 20 (single) Son of Walter and Priscilla Heather of Maybury, Surrey.
Born 18 February 1921

Pay Book Number: P/SXX 15513
Rank: Able Seaman
Relation: Son of John and Lilian Heatherley of Braunstone, Leicestershire.

Remarks: Able Seaman. P/SXX 15513. Shown onboard at January 1939. (Killed in collision with SS Borthwick 7.11.39). Age 23 Buried in Seafield Cemetary Edinburgh (single) Son of John and Lilian Heatherley of Braunstone, Leicestershire.

Pay Book Number: P/JX 143010
Rank: Petty Officer

Remarks: Petty Officer. P/JX 143010. (Wounded 23.10.41)

Pay Book Number: P/JX 143010
Rank: Acting Petty Officer Temporary

Remarks: Acting Petty Officer Temporary. P/JX 143010. Survivor discharged to Military Hospital and HMS Cormorant

Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. October 1939 to March 1940?

Pay Book Number: P/SSX 35569
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Relation: Son of Wilkinson and Elizabeth Hewitson of Wormley, Herts

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. P/SSX 35569. (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 19 (single) Son of Wilkinson and Elizabeth Hewitson of Wormley, Herts

Pay Book Number: P/SSX 22313
Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. P/SSX 22313. (Survivor discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney)

Hidden Gems

The HMS Cossack 1938-1941 was accepted on 10 June 1938 and dented, whilst coming alongside the jetty in Portsmouth on 12 June 1938.

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1806-1816

This is the account of the first vessel named HMS Cossack, a title that would be passed on to five later ships and commemorated by the Royal Navy in the Cossack Building at HMS Raleigh.

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1854-1875

The second Cossack was originally ordered by Russia for the Black Sea Fleet in December 1852 at a cost of 290,000 silver roubles. However, when relations between Britain and Russia deteriorated, Russia sold the vessels to the Hamburg trading firm Henry Mersk & Co.

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1886-1905

This account covers the third vessel named HMS Cossack. Launched on 3 June 1886 and in service until 1905, she spent the majority of her career in the Far East, calling at India, Aden, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and other ports.

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1907-1919

The fourth HMS Cossack received the first Battle Honour for participating in operations along the Belgian coast from 17 October to 8 November 1914. This section contains copies of the original construction contract and detailed plans showing her launch, deck arrangements, and machinery.

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1938-1941

Credited with battle honours including Baltic 1855, Witu 1890, Dover Patrol 1914–1919, Narvik 1940, Norway 1940, Atlantic 1940–1941, the Bismarck Action 1941, and the Malta Convoys 1941, the HMS Cossack in service from 1938 to 1941 was a formidable presence.

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1944-1960

During Warship Week in February 1942, the town of Esher raised £1,192,211, contributing to the construction of the warship HMS Cossack. The funds were collected by the public depositing money into a rubber-type float in a pool. Remarkably, the surplus was enough to fund a submarine as well. The story continues.

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